The Carretera Austral
Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of self-driving one of the most iconic road trips on Earth.
This self-drive adventure follows one of the world’s greatest routes – the Carretera Austral. Without another car in sight, and only the tell-tale sign of dust in the distance to let you know that humanity is still out there, this is an almost-otherworldly journey in one of the most extreme and beautiful places on the planet.
Travelling on unpaved roads through Chilean Patagonia cut through the stunning mountainous scenery of the Aysen region of northern Patagonia, making detours to see traditional coastal villages, visit iconic cave systems and stay within Patagonia Park.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Great Outdoors
Try jet boating, trekking, ice hiking, kayaking and rafting amongst a mighty landscape.
Patagonian Wildlife
Scout the landscape for huemul deer, Andean condors, guanacos and perhaps an elusive puma.
See the Marble Caves
Take a small boat to these hidden caves, full of blue and grey coloured stone.
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Day 1
Santiago (The Singular Santiago)
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Day 2
Santiago (The Singular Santiago)
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Day 3
Santiago - Balmaceda - Puerto Rio Tranquilo (Mallin Colorado EcoLodge)
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Day 4
Puerto Rio Tranquilo (Mallin Colorado EcoLodge)
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Day 5
Puerto Rio Tranquilo - Caleta Tortel (Entre Hielos Lodge)
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Day 6
Caleta Tortel (Entre Hielos Lodge)
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Day 7
Caleta Tortel - Patagonia Park (Explora Patagonia Park)
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Days 8-9
Patagonia Park (Explora Patagonia Park)
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Day 10
Patagonia Park - Aysen Region (El Mirador de Guadal)
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Day 11
Aysen Region - Balmaceda - Santiago
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Day 12
Santiago (The Singular Santiago)
Day 1
Santiago (The Singular Santiago)
Arrive into Santiago and transfer to your accommodation.
Day 2
Santiago (The Singular Santiago)
Spend a day at leisure exploring Chile’s modern, cosmopolitan capital city. Board a cable car for panoramic views or visit some of the bohemian districts.
Day 3
Santiago - Balmaceda - Puerto Rio Tranquilo (Mallin Colorado EcoLodge)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Balmaceda. On arrival pick up your hire car and begin your drive of the iconic Carretera Austral. Journey south for approximately three hours to the lakeside town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo and your accommodation.
Day 4
Puerto Rio Tranquilo (Mallin Colorado EcoLodge)
Take a small boat across General Carrera Lake to reach the marble cave sanctuary, a picturesque spot where the constant movement of the water has eroded the blue rocks into secret caves and mysterious tunnels.
Day 5
Puerto Rio Tranquilo - Caleta Tortel (Entre Hielos Lodge)
Continue driving south for approximately four hours to reach the coastal village of Caleta Tortel.
Day 6
Caleta Tortel (Entre Hielos Lodge)
Spend time exploring this enchanting coastal village – surrounded by islands, fjords, channels and estuaries, is renowned for its typical Chilota stilt homes and wooden boardwalks.
Day 7
Caleta Tortel - Patagonia Park (Explora Patagonia Park)
Drive north for approximately three hours to Patagonia National Park and your lodge accommodation.
Days 8-9
Patagonia Park (Explora Patagonia Park)
Spend two days relaxing and enjoying some of the activities from your lodge – hiking trails, mountain biking, kayaking and wildlife watching – look out for guanacos, mountain vizcachas and red foxes.
Day 10
Patagonia Park - Aysen Region (El Mirador de Guadal)
Drive north to the Aysen region, a journey of around 90 minutes.
Day 11
Aysen Region - Balmaceda - Santiago
Return to Balmaceda along the Carreterra Austral, a journey of around four hours. Leave your hire car at the airport and fly to Santiago.
Day 12
Santiago (The Singular Santiago)
Transfer to the airport for your onward travel.
More Details
Carretera Austral by 4x4
From the small settlement of Balmaceda in northern Patagonia, hop in a steadfast 4×4 and set off south into the Chilean wilderness characterised by soaring mountains, dazzling lakes and rugged landscapes. The Carretera Austral is mostly unpaved but in a good condition, adding to the exhilarating feel and pioneering spirit of one of the world’s most iconic road trips.
Explore Patagonia Park
Journey to the remote Patagonia Park and stay at Explora Patagonia National Park, a homely and exclusive lodge set within the private 200,0000-acre reserve. A seemingly endless network of hiking trails surrounds the lodge, each of which can be tackled alone or in the company of an expert naturalist guide. With views of flamingo filled lakes, snow-capped mountains and open grassland, head out on mountain bikes while looking out for guanacos, mountain vizcachas, elusive pumas and red foxes.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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With every effort to ensure the lodge blended with their naturally beautiful surroundings, the owners of Mallin Colorado Ecolodge have used native wood from nearby sawmills in each of their cabins and created lamps, tables and floors from off cuts and driftwood that would otherwise have been wasted.
Owners of Explora Patagonia National Park have dedicated their lives to ecology by buying land in Patagonia for its conservation and care. Patagonia National Park is home to Tompkins Conservation–led rewilding efforts focused on protecting cougars, Andean condors, Darwin’s Rheas, and the endangered huemul deer.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Suggested Extension
Chile: Torres del Paine
Journey into Torres del Paine National Park, home to iconic and imposing landscapes, dominated by three granite towers. Spend days hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking across the steppe or searching for wildlife from soaring condors to the secretive puma.
3 days - Price on request
Suggested Extension
Chile: Atacama Desert
Journey into the lunar like landscapes of the Atacama Desert for volcanoes, geysers, flamingo-filled lagoons and immense night skies. Explore on foot, 4×4 or on horseback. Tackle a high mountain ascent, crater rim walk or sit back for an afternoon of bird watching.
3 days - Price on request
Suggested Extension
Chilean Winelands
Spend the night at one of Chile’s finest vineyards estates – take a tasting tour to sample varieties from Cabernet Sauvignon to Carménère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot or take a picnic and meander through the vines by bike or on horseback.
2 days - Price on request
Start planning your trip
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £4,995 Per person
When to travel
Chile in January
January and February is the peak season in Chile as it is the height of the summer. Weather can be ideal throughout the country, although the Atacama Desert can occasionally experience unusual rainfall at this time.
Chile in February
January and February is the peak season in Chile as it is the height of the summer. Weather can be ideal throughout the country, although the Atacama Desert can occasionally experience unusual rainfall at this time.
Chile in March
Heading into the autumn, this is a shoulder season for most of the country. This can make for a lovely time to visit as peak prices come down and the crowds ease slightly.
Chile in April
April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.
Chile in May
April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.
Chile in June
April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.
Chile in July
April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.
Chile in August
April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.
Chile in September
As the snow begins to melt and days get warmer, this can be a delightful time to visit the central valleys and north of the country.
Chile in October
October marks the start of spring in the lake district. Although you can expect rain, the flowers begin to bloom across the stunning landscapes and temperatures begin to rise.
Chile in November
November is a good time to visit, as spring is in full bloom across the country. Just before the peak season begins in December, there are fewer crowds.
Chile in December
December begins the peak season for travel to Chile, with the climate in its prime for visiting most of the popular destinations. We advise that you begin planning well in advance for travel during this time as many hotels can book up.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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